Donate for Dunedin

It’s well-known that southern people have good manners and ideals, which is why Speight’s is appealing to the good, generous nature of Dunedin locals to remind them to donate 10c for every litre of spring water they take from the Speight’s Brewery ‘tap’.

March 15, 2010

It’s well-known that southern people have good manners and ideals, which is why Speight’s is appealing to the good, generous nature of Dunedin locals to remind them to donate 10c for every litre of spring water they take from the Speight’s Brewery ‘tap’.

The Speight’s Brewery Environment Fund (The Fund) was established in 2009 specifically to support not-for-profit groups working to preserve and protect Dunedin’s natural environment. 100% of the money donated at the tap goes straight back to the community via The Fund, which is awarded annually in June.

Since the initiative began, only around 10% of people have been donating, so it seems that quite a few locals don’t know how to “donate for Dunedin”, or why it’s so important.

“Fresh spring water has been available from Speight’s for locals for more than a decade, and it continues to be a great service for the community providing healthy water that you’d pay around $3.20 for in shops,” says Chris Snow, Speight’s, who believes that a real difference can be achieved through the fund for local environmental causes.

“We want to channel our goodwill to the community into fundraising and conservation for the Dunedin region. With the environment thriving, the spring’s crystal waters will remain that way for future locals.”

A total of 1 million litres of water (around half an Olympic pool’s volume) is drawn from the brewery’s spring each year. If Dunedin people donate just 10c per litre, around $100,000 a year could be made available to local conservation groups. However, only $5,665.80 has been received in the 6 months since the Fund was started for Round Two, despite the fact that 409,000 litres of water has been taken. This figure should have been around $40,900 if locals had donated just 10c for their litre, which they could have paid well over a million dollars for in the shops.

A WEE REMINDER OF WHAT YOUR 10c BUYS:

The Hawksbury Logoon Inc, Dunedin Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society and Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary are the first recipients and will use the money, generated through the 10c donations and Speight’s contribution, to assist with their ongoing improvement, maintenance and protection of our natural environment.

Hawksbury Lagoon Inc plan to use the money to revegetate the area by planting 3,500 Raupo in protected areas within the lagoon while The Orokonui Eco-Sanctuary is also planning to put its funding towards a re-planting project that aims to contribute to the survival of the takahe species now listed as nationally critical and endangered.

The Dunedin Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society will put their grant towards three sets of audio attraction equipment to assist in re-establishing seabird colonies on the St Clair Cliffs, Long Point and other sites along the Otago Peninsula.

The fund is made up of a $25,000 a year donation from Speight’s plus all donations received for water taken from the spring-water tap, as well as money made from the sale of reusable water bottles at the Speight’s Brewery Tour store. Applications for the 2010 Fund will open on March 22.